Osseo tight end Will Johnson says Minnesota, West Virginia are his leading choices

Since finishing the season 3-9 in late November, Gophers football coach Jerry Kill and his staff have been busy recruiting around the country. But one of their top targets is right here in Minnesota.

Osseo tight end Will Johnson said he has the Gophers and West Virginia at the top of his list. He could decide soon whether to join Kill's rebuilding process at the U or play for the Mountaineers, who will face Clemson in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 4.

"I'm really looking at where I might fit in the best," said Johnson, a 6-foot-7, 250-pound senior. "They're kind of both offering me the same position and similar style of how I would be playing."

One thing he's not holding against the Gophers is their second consecutive 3-9 finish. Johnson was encouraged by Minnesota's season-ending 27-7 win over Illinois. He also has been impressed with Kill's local recruiting.

Johnson, a three-star prospect, made his official visit to the U last weekend, joining committed players such as Mankato West quarterback Philip Nelson, Waconia tight end Maxx Williams and Lakeville South quarterback Mitch Leidner.

"They see something there, and that was good to be around," Johnson said. "I saw improvements in how the Gophers were playing this year. I wasn't watching this season as trying to judge my decision on how well they did. It's (Kill's) first season there, and he hasn't gotten his system instilled and all his players in there. When he does, it could be a real good thing.

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Johnson could decide after talking with his family following his official visit to West Virginia this weekend. But he also is considering trips to Miami (Fla.), Mississippi, Oklahoma and Michigan State. The latter two have not offered Johnson a scholarship.

"Certainly, he's a guy who you could probably throw in at the end of your line and start for three or four years," Rivals.com recruiting analyst Josh Helmholdt said. "He looks like he has the ability not only to be a pass-catching tight end but also help you in run blocking."

Pride leaving: J.D. Pride, a redshirt freshman wide receiver, was granted a release from his scholarship and will transfer, according to his father, J.D. Pride Sr.

Kill moved Pride, a Totino-Grace High School graduate, from quarterback to receiver during spring practice. But Pride didn't play this season.

Pride Sr., a former Gophers player, said his son will leave school after this semester to join a Football Championship Subdivision program in January, most likely Indiana State.

"His dream was always to be a quarterback, so he's looking for an opportunity," he said. "You can't fault him for that. There are no hard feelings toward Coach Kill and his staff. They did what they thought was best for the program."